JP7124190B2 - How the automated analyzer works - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an operation method of an automatic analyzer for shortening TAT (Turn Around Time) for analyzing biological samples such as blood and urine.

Automated analyzers, which perform quantitative or qualitative analysis of specific components contained in biological samples such as blood and urine, are now indispensable for diagnosis due to their high reproducibility of analysis results and high processing speed. .

Measurement methods for automated analyzers include analysis methods that use reagents that react with the analyte component in the sample and change the color of the reaction solution (colorimetric analysis), and methods that directly or indirectly bind directly or indirectly to the target component. It is broadly classified into analytical methods (immunoassay) that count the labeled substances using reagents in which labeled substances are added to the substances to be treated.

Generally, in automatic analyzers that perform colorimetric analysis, a plurality of reaction vessels arranged in a ring on a rotatable disk are repeatedly rotated and stopped, and reactions between biological samples such as blood and urine and reagents are performed continuously and continuously. Configured to be analyzed cyclically.

The definition of cycle time in an automatic analyzer generally refers to the time from dispensing a sample for measurement into one reaction container to dispensing the sample into the next reaction container. In one cycle, the automatic analyzer performs sample dispensing, reagent addition, sample and reagent agitation, reaction solution measurement, and reaction vessel cleaning after measurement.

For example, in Patent Document 1, 46 reaction vessels are arranged on a turntable at regular intervals, and are controlled to rotate one rotation plus one reaction vessel in one cycle. At this time, one cycle time is 30 seconds, and the required rotation time is 23 seconds. Therefore, during the 7 seconds when the turntable is stopped, the apparatus performs tasks such as the dispensing of measurement samples and reagents, and the cleaning of the reaction vessel after measurement. After that, the apparatus rotates the turntable by 1 rotation + 1 reaction container over 23 seconds, and the absorbance measurement is performed by a photometer arranged so as to traverse the circumferential orbit of the reaction container. In other words, when focusing on a certain reaction container in this apparatus, the absorbance measurement is performed once every 30 seconds while the reaction container is shifted by one reaction container in the counterclockwise direction for each cycle, and after 46 cycles After the measurement and cleaning, the reaction container returns to the original position where the sample can be dispensed. In this automatic analyzer, in order to wash and reuse the reaction vessel used for analysis, a total of 3 locations, 2 drainage nozzles and 1 cleaning nozzle, that is, 3 cycles = 1 minute 30 seconds are used.

In Patent Document 2, a washing mechanism includes a plurality of ejection nozzles for ejecting washing water and detergent, and a plurality of suction nozzles for sucking reaction liquid, washing water, and detergent. Cleaning the container.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200001 discloses that preset reaction vessel cleaning is automatically performed when the apparatus power is turned on.

In Patent Document 4, in the biochemical automatic analyzer, the photometry time of the reaction detection tube can be freely set, and the tubes are arranged in a circle in order to increase the freedom of the device configuration and make it possible to perform the optimal arrangement. When N is the number of reaction detection tubes and M is the number of reaction detection tubes that move in one analysis cycle, N±1=γ×M (γ is an integer of 2 or more), and between N and M has no common factor other than 1 and M<N/2, and iteratively moves the reaction detection tubes so that all the reaction detection tubes are sequentially used for analysis.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-24380 WO2014/171346 JP-A-8-338847 JP-A-5-164763

In recent automatic analyzers, in order to avoid erroneous measurements due to carry-over of previously measured samples and reagents when reusing reaction vessels, the cleaning process of reaction vessels generally includes washing with washing water and an alkaline solution. , cleaning using a detergent containing an acid or the like, cleaning with the cleaning water of the used detergent, careful removal of water droplets, etc., thus requiring more cleaning steps. For example, in Patent Document 2, there are nine cleaning steps as described above.

In general, the automatic analyzer completes the cleaning of the reaction container after the measurement of the reaction solution, completes the analysis operation, and shifts to standby. Therefore, all reaction vessels are in a washed state when the analysis is next started. However, for example, when an operator accesses the analyzer to add an analysis reagent or the like, or dust in the air enters the cleaned reaction vessel as foreign matter, the measurement result may be defective. In practice, when starting an analysis with an automatic analyzer, it is common to first wash the reaction container, which is scheduled for sample measurement, again by the washing mechanism and then use it for analysis.

For this reason, with the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to wash the reaction container used for analysis first in 3 cycles (=1 minute and 30 seconds) from the start of analysis. If there are nine cleaning steps like the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 2, the time lost will be longer. In addition, if all the reaction vessels are washed as in the automatic analyzer described in Patent Document 3, the time from the start of analysis to the start of actual sample measurement will be even longer.

The more thoroughly the reaction vessel is washed to prevent carryover, the more time is required for washing. However, there is another factor that prolongs the time required for washing. As is the case with any of the automatic analyzers described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, the cleaning mechanism is arranged only in one place near the reaction disk, and the reaction vessels to be cleaned by the cleaning mechanism are positioned close to each other. is common. In the automatic analyzer disclosed in Patent Document 1, the turntable is rotated by 1 rotation plus 1 reaction container in one cycle, so one reaction container is shifted by one reaction container in one cycle. Therefore, three cleaning steps can be completed in three cycles. On the other hand, in the automatic analyzer of Patent Document 4, a γ cycle is required to shift by one reaction container. That is, if the other conditions are the same, the automatic analyzer of Patent Document 4 requires γ times the time of the automatic analyzer of Patent Document 1 even when performing the same cleaning.

The present invention provides an automatic analyzer capable of shortening the TAT by shortening the time involved in cleaning these reaction vessels.

a reaction disk that stores a plurality of reaction vessels in a circular shape; a sample dispensing mechanism that dispenses a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction vessels; a reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction vessels; A stirring mechanism for stirring the sample and the reagent dispensed into the container, a measurement unit for measuring the reaction process of the mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container and/or the reaction solution after the reaction, and the reaction container for washing. A method of operating an automatic analyzer comprising a cleaning mechanism,
The automatic analyzer performs analysis in which the sample is dispensed by the sample dispensing mechanism, the reagent is dispensed by the reagent dispensing mechanism, the sample and reagent are stirred by the stirring mechanism, the measurement is performed by the measurement unit, and the reaction vessel is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism. and a cleaning cycle in which the reaction vessel is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism and has a shorter cycle time than the analysis cycle, each of the analysis cycle and the cleaning cycle includes a stopping period and a rotating period of the reaction disk, The amount of rotation of the reaction disk in one analysis cycle is equal to the amount of rotation of the reaction disk in one cleaning cycle. Both the mechanism and the cleaning mechanism operate on any of the reaction vessels on the reaction disk, the measurement unit performs measurement while the reaction disk is rotating, and the sample is measured during the stopping period of the reaction disk in the cleaning cycle. None of the dispensing mechanism, the reagent dispensing mechanism, and the stirring mechanism operate, the cleaning mechanism operates with respect to one of the reaction containers on the reaction disk, and the reaction disk stop period is the period during which the reaction disk is stopped during the analysis cycle. Shorter than the period, the rotation of the reaction disk is started as soon as the time for the cleaning mechanism to operate ends.

According to the present invention, the TAT of the apparatus can be shortened by shortening the cleaning time before and after analysis and during maintenance.

Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer; FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a plurality of reaction vessels stored in a reaction disk; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a plurality of reaction vessels stored in a reaction disk; 4 is a diagram showing an analysis timing chart in the automatic analyzer of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an analysis process in the automatic analyzer of Example 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing analysis and cleaning timing charts in the automatic analyzer of Example 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a plurality of reaction vessels stored in the reaction disk of Example 2; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a plurality of reaction vessels stored in the reaction disk of Example 2; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a plurality of reaction vessels stored in the reaction disk of Example 2; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an analysis process in the automatic analyzer of Example 2; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing analysis and cleaning timing charts in the automatic analyzer of Example 2;

FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration diagram of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment. The automatic analyzer 100 mainly includes a rack 16 for mounting a plurality of sample containers 15 containing samples, a sample transport mechanism 17 for transporting the rack 16 to a desired position, and a plurality of reaction containers 2 along the circumferential direction (circular). a reaction disk 1 that stores a plurality of reagent bottles 10 containing various reagents along the circumferential direction (circumferentially); and a sample container. A sample dispensing mechanism 11 that dispenses a predetermined amount of the sample in 15 into the reaction container 2, a reagent dispensing mechanism 7 that dispenses a predetermined amount of the reagent in the reagent bottle 10 into the reaction container 2, and the dispensed sample and reagent. A stirring mechanism 5 for stirring and mixing in the reaction vessel 2, a measurement unit 4 for measuring the reaction process of the mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel 2 and/or the reaction liquid after the reaction, and the reaction vessel 2 after the measurement is completed. It is composed of a cleaning mechanism 3 for cleaning and a controller 21 for controlling these operations.

A reagent dispensing mechanism 7 installed between the reaction disk 1 and the reagent disk 9 has a reagent nozzle 7a, and a reagent pump 18a is connected to the reagent nozzle 7a. Here, for example, a syringe pump or the like is used as the reagent pump 18a. A sample pipetting mechanism 11, which is installed between the reaction disk 1 and the sample transport mechanism 17 and can rotate and move up and down in an arc, has a sample nozzle 11a. A sample pump 18c is connected to the sample nozzle 11a, and the sample nozzle 11a moves in an arc around the rotating shaft of the sample pipetting mechanism 11 to suck the sample from the sample container 15 or the reaction container 2, A sample is discharged to another reaction container 2 on the reaction disk 1 to dispense the sample. Here, for example, a syringe pump or the like is used as the sample pump 18c.

The measurement unit 4 includes a light source (not shown) arranged inside the reaction disk 1 and a spectrophotometer arranged facing the light source so as to sandwich the reaction vessel 2, and the irradiation light emitted from the light source is Transmitted light passing through the reaction liquid, which is a mixed liquid of the sample and the reagent in the reaction container 2, is detected to measure the absorbance. Note that the measurement unit 4 is not limited to measuring absorbance using a spectrophotometer. For example, a detector that detects transmitted light and scattered light may be used instead of the spectrophotometer.

The stirring mechanism 5 has, for example, a stirring blade or a spatula-shaped rod (not shown) provided at its tip, and the stirring blade or the spatula-shaped rod is soaked in the reaction liquid in the reaction vessel 2 and rotated. Stir.

A cleaning pump 20 and a vacuum pump 22 are connected to the cleaning mechanism 3 . A washing tank 13 for washing the reagent nozzles 7 a of the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 is installed between the reaction disk 1 and the reagent disk 9 . A cleaning tank 30 for cleaning the sample nozzle 11a of the sample dispensing mechanism 11 is provided between the reaction disk 1 and the sample transport mechanism 17, and a stirring blade of the stirring mechanism 5 is provided between the reaction disk 1 and the stirring mechanism 5. Alternatively, a cleaning bath 32 is provided for cleaning the spatula-shaped sticks to prevent contamination.

In the following, as shown in FIG. 1, a case where an automatic analyzer is provided with a rack 16 for mounting a plurality of sample containers 15 containing samples and a sample transport mechanism 17 for transporting the rack 16 to a desired position will be described as an example. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of sample containers 15 may be stored in the sample disk along the circumferential direction (circumferentially). 15 may be provided.

The arrangement of a plurality of reaction vessels stored in the reaction disk 1 of the automatic analyzer 100 of Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. As shown in FIG. 2A, the automatic analyzer 100 has 28 reaction vessels 2-1 to 2-28 spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the reaction disk 1 (circumferentially). stored. As indicated by the arrow, the reaction disk 1 rotates and stops 17 times in the reaction container 2 clockwise in one cycle. In this specification, when a specific reaction container stored in the reaction disk 1 is indicated, any one of the reaction containers 2-1 to 2-28 is indicated, and any reaction container or reaction container is generically referred to. , is referred to as reaction vessel 2 . One cycle means that the sample dispensing mechanism 11 dispenses the sample for measurement from the sample container 15 into one reaction container 2, then the reaction disk 1 rotates and stops, and the sample is supplied to the next reaction container 2. Defined as time to dispense. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 2A, the position where the sample is dispensed from the sample container 15 to the reaction container 2 by the sample pipetting mechanism 11 is the sample discharge position 41. Therefore, in the first cycle, the reaction container 2-1 However, in the second cycle, the reaction vessel 2-12 (located counterclockwise by 17 units from the reaction vessel 2-1), and in the third cycle, the reaction vessel 2-23 (from the reaction vessel 2-12 ), the sample for measurement is dispensed from the sample container 15 by the sample dispensing mechanism 11 .

The above operation is repeated, and the reaction vessel returns to the same position in 28 cycles. In this embodiment, assuming that the total number of reaction vessels 2 stored in the reaction disk 1 is N, and the amount of rotation for one cycle is M reaction vessels, the reaction disk is rotated after β (integer of β>2) cycles. 1 is moved by α (integer of α>1) rotation ±1 reaction container, and β×M=α×N±1 holds. Specifically, when N = 28, M = 17, α = 3, β = 5, 5 × 17 = 3 × 28-1 = 84, and when focusing on one reaction vessel, the adjacent Move to the stop position.

The numbers shown in parentheses on the outer circumference of the reaction disk 1 in FIG. 2A, that is, [1] to [28], are the reaction containers 2 ( In this example, the cycle in which the sample is dispensed is defined as cycle [1], and the stop positions of the reaction container 2-1) are shown in cycle [1] to cycle [28]. . As described above, the reaction vessel 2 stops 17 positions apart clockwise each time one cycle is added.

Here, the position where the predetermined treatment is performed on the reaction container 2 is determined by the arrangement position of the mechanism of the automatic analyzer 100 . In addition to the sample discharge position 41 which is the position where the sample is dispensed into the reaction container 2 described above, as shown in FIG. a first reagent dispensing position 43 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7; a second reagent dispensing position 44 by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7; At the first stirring position 45 where the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the first reagent and the first reagent, is stirred by the stirring mechanism 5, the mixture of the sample and the first reagent and the second reagent in the reaction container 2 after the second reagent is discharged is stirred. A second stirring position 46 for stirring a certain reaction liquid by the stirring mechanism 5 and an absorbance measuring position 47 by a spectrophotometer as the measuring unit 4 for measuring the absorbance of the reaction liquid are arranged. FIG. 2B is an extract of the reaction disk 1 of FIG. 2A. The numbers shown on the inner circumference of the reaction disk 1 define the reaction container stop positions clockwise, with the reaction container stop position serving as the sample discharge position 41 being the reaction container position number=1.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, when focusing on the reaction container 2-1, in cycle [1], the sample dispensing mechanism 11 at the sample ejection position 41 (reaction container position number 1) causes the sample container 15 or A predetermined amount of sample is dispensed from the sample suction position 42 to the reaction container 2-1. Next, in cycle [2], the reaction container 2-1, to which a predetermined amount of sample has already been dispensed at the first reagent dispensing position 43 (reaction container position number 18), is given a predetermined amount by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7. of the first reagent is dispensed. In cycle [3], while the reaction vessel 2-1 containing the reaction liquid, which is the mixed liquid of the sample and the first reagent, moves to the first stirring position 45 (reaction vessel position number 7), the reaction vessel 2-1 passes through the absorbance measurement position 47 . At this time, the absorbance is measured by a spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4 . At the first stirring position 45 (reaction container position number 7), the stirring mechanism 5 stirs and mixes the reaction liquid, which is the mixture of the sample and the first reagent in the reaction container 2-1. Subsequently, reaction vessel 2-1 moves to reaction vessel position number 24 in cycle [4]. At this time, when the reaction vessel 2-1 passes through the absorbance measurement position 47, the absorbance is measured by the spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4. FIG. In cycle [6], reaction container 2-1 moves to sample suction position 42 (reaction container position number 2) and stops. Also during this time, when passing through the absorbance measurement position 47, the absorbance is measured by the spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4. FIG. Thereafter, the reaction vessel 2-1 is sequentially moved until the 28th cycle, and the reaction vessel 2-1 is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism 3 at the reaction vessel position number 12 in the cycle [28]. It moves to the reaction container position number 1 which is the sample discharge position 41 again.

FIG. 3 is an example of an operation timing chart of the reaction disk 1, washing mechanism 3, measuring section 4, sample dispensing mechanism 11, reagent dispensing mechanism 7, and stirring mechanism 5 of the automatic analyzer in one cycle. The cycle time of one cycle shall be 33 seconds. One cycle includes a stop period and a rotation period of the reaction disk 1 . In cycle [1], while the reaction disk 1 is stopped, the cleaning mechanism 3 cleans the reaction containers 2-11 and 12, and the sample dispensing mechanism 11 dispenses the sample into the reaction container 2-1, the reagent The dispensing mechanism 7 dispenses the first reagent into the reaction container 2-18, and the stirring mechanism 5 stirs the first reagent dispensed into the reaction container 2-7. After dispensing the first reagent, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 cleans the reagent nozzle 7a in the cleaning tank 13 (not shown). After stirring the first reagent, the stirring mechanism 5 cleans a spatula-shaped stick or the like in the cleaning tank 32 (not shown). Thereafter, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 dispenses the second reagent into the reaction container 2-20, and the stirring mechanism 5 stirs the second reagent dispensed into the reaction container 2-9. After all operations are completed, the reaction disk 1 is rotated clockwise by 17 pieces in the reaction container 2 . During this time, the absorbance of the reaction vessel 2 through which the measurement unit 4 passes is measured. After the rotating operation of the reaction disk 1 and the measurement of absorbance by the measurement unit 4 are completed, the automatic analyzer 100 proceeds to the next cycle.

In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents cycles [1] to [28], and shows the analysis steps that a certain reaction container 2 performs in each cycle. After the sample is dispensed in cycle [1], the reagent is dispensed and stirred, and the reaction between the sample and the reagent is measured until cycle [18]. This section is defined as a reaction liquid measurement section. Therefore, it is possible to wash the reaction vessel from cycle [19] to cycle [28]. In the installation example of the washing mechanism 3 in FIG. is carried out.

Here, when the analysis is started, assuming that the reaction container 2-1 shown in FIG. 2A is the reaction container to be used first, the reaction disk 1 moves the reaction container 2-1 to the reaction container position number 11 in FIG. 2B. It will start with the reaction vessel cleaning in cycle [23] as shown in FIG. After the analysis is started, the reaction vessel 2-1 is washed, and the reaction is carried out according to the analysis timing shown in FIG. When cleaning the container, it takes 3 minutes and 18 seconds (198 seconds=6 cycles×33 seconds) until the reaction container 2-1 reaches the sample discharge position 41 and the sample pipetting mechanism 11 becomes ready for sample discharge. It will be. As described above, since the reaction liquid measurement section in FIG. 4 is 18 cycles (=9 minutes and 54 seconds), as a result, the first measurement results cannot be obtained until 13 minutes and 12 seconds have elapsed from the start of analysis. In particular, for 3 minutes and 18 seconds from the start of analysis, there is no reaction container 2 capable of sample dispensing, and therefore there is no sample requiring reagent discharge or stirring, and no reaction container 2 into which the reagent has been discharged. 11, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7 and the stirring mechanism 5 are in a state of stopping their operations. Absorbance is not measured in the section where there is nothing to be measured in the measurement unit 4 (water is dispensed into the reaction container 2 by the washing mechanism 3 etc., and the reference absorbance of the reaction container is measured when it passes through the measurement unit 4 Absorbance measurement may be performed from the end of the cleaning interval if there is a function). In other words, in the analysis timing chart shown in FIG. 3, the six cycles from the start of the analysis, after the cleaning mechanism 3 cleans the reaction vessel at the beginning of the stop time of the reaction disk 1, are substantially wasted idle time. This hinders shortening of TAT (Turn Around Time).

FIG. 5 shows the TAT shortening method in the first embodiment. The analysis cycle 501 is the same as in FIG. 3, and the analysis cycle 502 is a timing chart when only the cleaning of the reaction container 2 is performed by the cleaning mechanism 3 in the analysis cycle 501. FIG. Analysis cycle 502 prevents TAT shortening as described above. On the other hand, in the cleaning cycle 503, the cleaning mechanism 3 only cleans the reaction container 2, and the reaction disk 1 is stopped for the operation of the sample dispensing mechanism 11, the reagent dispensing mechanism 7, and the stirring mechanism 5. Define a cycle to skip time and start rotating the reaction disk 1 . As a result, the idle time can be shortened, so that the cleaning cycle can be made shorter than the analysis cycle. In the example of FIG. 5, one cleaning cycle is 16.5 seconds while one analysis cycle is 33.0 seconds. This cleaning cycle can be applied without affecting the measurement results during a period when the cyclic absorbance measurement by the measurement unit 4 is not required. That is, in the analysis of a biological sample, cyclic absorbance measurement is ensured by the reaction container passing through the absorbance measurement position 47 once every two cycles (2 cycles x 33 seconds). Although it cannot be changed, there is no problem because the cleaning cycle is the cycle before discharging the sample.

For example, when the analysis is started, if the reaction container to be used first is reaction container 2-1 shown in FIG. 2A, reaction disk 1 moves reaction container 2-1 to reaction container position number 11 in FIG. 2B. 4, starting from the cycle [23] of reaction vessel cleaning as shown in FIG. In this case, the reaction container 2-1 is washed after the analysis is started, and the washing cycle 503 is applied in the 6 cycles from cycle [23] to cycle [28] to cycle [1]. is possible. As a result, it only takes 1 minute and 39 seconds (99 seconds = 6 cycles x 16.5 seconds) for the reaction container 2-1 to reach the sample ejection position 41 and the sample dispensing mechanism 11 to be ready for sample ejection. It is possible to halve the waiting time until sample dispensing. As described above, since the reaction liquid measurement section in FIG. 4 is 18 cycles (9 minutes and 54 seconds), it is possible to obtain the first measurement results in 11 minutes and 33 seconds from the start of analysis.

The cleaning cycle 503 is also effective in shortening the time required for cleaning the reaction containers after the measurement of all the sample containers 15 is completed, ending the analysis, and stopping the apparatus. In the example of FIG. 4, after the measurement of the last reaction container 2 is completed in cycle [18], it is necessary to finish the analysis after washing the last reaction container 2 in cycles [19] to [28]. If the cleaning of the reaction container 2 is performed in the analysis cycle (cleaning operation only) 502, it takes 5 minutes and 30 seconds (330 seconds = 10 cycles x 33 seconds) to complete the cleaning, finish the analysis, and stop the apparatus. . By applying the cleaning cycle 503, this time can be shortened to 2 minutes and 45 seconds (165 seconds=10 cycles×16.5 seconds).

Also, the cleaning cycle 503 can be applied to shorten the maintenance time by cleaning all the reaction vessels 2 immediately after turning on the power of the apparatus. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, in order to wash 28 reaction vessels 2 by the washing mechanism 3 in the analysis cycle (washing operation only) 502, two cycles of cycle [23] and cycle [28] are performed for one reaction vessel 2. Since one cleaning operation is performed, a total of 33 cycles (=18 minutes and 9 seconds) are required, but by applying the cleaning cycle 503, the time required for 33 cycles can be shortened to half.

In the automatic analyzer 100 that operates cyclically, after starting the analysis until the sample can be dispensed into the first reaction container 2, the cleaning cycle 503 is performed, and then the analysis cycle 501 starts without any idle time. to migrate to
A: number of cycles required for washing, B: washing cycle time, C: analysis cycle time, k: integer (>1), then
A x B = k x C
It is desirable that the relationship of

For example, if the reaction container 2 to be used first after starting the analysis is the reaction container 2-1, the reaction disk 1 moves the reaction container 2-1 to the reaction container position number 11 shown in FIG. 2B, Begin with cycle [23], reactor wash (see Figure 4). Since the reaction container 2-1 is washed after the analysis is started and 6 cycles are required to reach the sample discharge position 41, A=6, and as shown in FIG. Assuming that the analysis cycle 501 has C=33 seconds, the relationship A×B=k×C holds when k=3. That is, A×B corresponds to the cleaning time of the cleaning cycle, which is an integer multiple of the analysis cycle time C. Since the controller 21 of the automatic analyzer 100 manages the cycle after the start of analysis according to the analysis cycle 501, it becomes possible to switch to the analysis cycle without idle time after the completion of a predetermined cleaning cycle.

In the examples, an example of two steps is shown as the washing step, but the present invention is not limited to this. If a cleaning mechanism capable of carrying out the steps is provided, it is possible to realize a cycle including m steps of cleaning steps. In this case as well, it is desirable to set the number of cycles necessary for m steps of cleaning to satisfy the above-described relationship.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer with a short TAT by shortening the cleaning time without adding an additional cleaning mechanism 3, for example.

Example 2 has a different analysis cycle than Example 1. An analysis cycle in the automatic analyzer 100b of Example 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. Also in Example 2, as in Example 1, 28 reaction vessels 2-1 to 2-28 are stored in the reaction disk 1, and the reaction disk 1 rotates clockwise in one cycle with 17 reaction vessels 2. Repeat rotation and stop for each.

In Example 2, one cycle has a plurality of stop periods and a plurality of rotation periods. Specifically, as shown in the analysis cycle 1001 shown in FIG. 10, the stop period and the rotation period are repeated three times. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the reaction vessel 2-1 is positioned at the sample discharge position 41 during the first stop period 1010. FIG. Here, on the outer circumference of the reaction disk 1, the reaction container 2-1 in which the sample dispensing mechanism 11 dispensed the sample at the sample dispensing position 41 during the stop period 1010 of the cycle [1] is located in the cycle [1]. In the stop period 1010 of cycle [28], each stop position is shown. Further, the numbers shown on the inner circumference of the reaction disk 1 define the reaction container stop positions clockwise, with the reaction container stop position serving as the sample discharge position 41 being the reaction container position number=1, as in FIG. 2B. .

From this state, the reaction disk 1 moves clockwise in the reaction container 2 by 9 pieces and then stops. This state (second stop period 1011) is shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, on the outer periphery of the reaction disk 1, the reaction container 2-1, in which the sample dispensing mechanism 11 dispensed the sample at the sample ejection position 41 during the stop period 1010 of the cycle [1], is placed in the cycle [1]. to the stop position in the stop period 1011 of the cycle [28].

Furthermore, after that, the reaction disk 1 moves by one in the reaction container 2 and then stops. This state (third stop period 1012) is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, on the outer circumference of the reaction disk 1, the reaction vessel 2-1, to which the sample dispensing mechanism 11 dispensed the sample at the sample ejection position 41 during the stop period 1010 of the cycle [1], is placed in the cycle [1]. to the stop position in the stop period 1012 of cycle [28].

After that, the reaction disk 1 moves for the remaining seven reaction containers and then stops to complete one cycle of operation.

The basic configuration of the automatic analyzer 100b of Example 2 is the same as that of Example 1, and each mechanism is controlled by the controller 21. FIG. However, the arrangement position of the mechanism is different from that in the first embodiment (the same arrangement as in the first embodiment is denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanation is omitted). Specifically, as shown in Figs. A sample aspirating position 42 (reaction container position number 2) for sucking from the container 2, a first reagent dispensing position 71 (reaction container position number 10) by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7, and a second reagent dispensing position by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7. 72 (reaction container position number 8), a third reagent dispensing position 73 (reaction container position number 9) by the reagent dispensing mechanism 7, a reagent stirring position 75 (reaction container position number 18) for stirring by the stirring mechanism 115, a reaction Absorbance measurement positions 47 by a spectrophotometer as the measurement unit 4 for measuring the absorbance of the liquid are respectively arranged. The stirring mechanism 115 in Example 2 is of a fixed type that stirs the sample and the reagent in the reaction container by means of acoustic waves oscillated by the ultrasonic element. only be implemented.

In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents cycles [1] to [28] and shows the analysis steps performed in each cycle. In Example 2, after the sample is dispensed in cycle [1], the reagent is dispensed and stirred, and the reaction between the sample and the reagent is measured until cycle [18]. This section becomes the reaction liquid measurement section, and the reaction container can be washed between cycle [19] and cycle [28]. Washing of the reaction vessel is carried out at .

The analysis cycle 1001 shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the analysis steps shown in FIG.

In the stop period 1010 of cycle [1], the sample dispensing mechanism 11 aspirates the sample from the sample container 15 or the sample aspirating position 42, and dispenses the sample into the reaction container 2-1 stopped at the sample dispense position 41. (Fig. 6). After that, in the stop period 1011 of cycle [1], the reaction container 2-1 stops at the first reagent dispensing position 71 (FIG. 7). The reagent dispensing mechanism 7 collects the reagent from the reagent bottle 10 installed on the reagent disk 9 and discharges the reagent into the reaction container 2 - 1 stopped at the first reagent dispensing position 71 . After that, in the stopping period 1012 of cycle [1], the reaction container 2-1 stops at the reaction container position number 11 (FIG. 8), but the cleaning mechanism 3 does not operate during this stopping period. Thereafter, in the stopping period 1010 of cycle [2], the reaction container 2-1 moves to the reagent stirring position 75, and the reaction container 2-1 into which the first reagent has been dispensed is stirred by the stirring mechanism 115 (see FIG. 6 ).

In the analysis cycle 1001, either the second reagent or the third reagent can be dispensed to the reaction liquid of the sample and the first reagent.

When the second reagent is dispensed into the reaction container 2-1, the reaction container 2-1 stops at the second reagent dispensing position 72 during the stop period 1010 of cycle [8] (FIG. 6). The reagent dispensing mechanism 7 collects the reagent from the reagent bottle 10 installed on the reagent disk 9 and discharges the reagent into the reaction container 2 - 1 stopped at the second reagent dispensing position 72 . After that, in the stopping period 1011 of cycle [8], the reaction container stops at position number 17 (FIG. 7), and in the stopping period 1012 of cycle [8], it moves to the reagent stirring position 75 and separates the second reagent. The reaction vessel 2-1 into which the liquid is poured is stirred by the stirring mechanism 115 (FIG. 8).

On the other hand, when the third reagent is dispensed into the reaction container 2-1, the reaction container 2-1 stops at the third reagent dispensing position 73 during the stop period 1010 of cycle [13] (FIG. 6). The reagent dispensing mechanism 7 collects the reagent from the reagent bottle 10 installed on the reagent disk 9 and discharges the reagent into the reaction container 2 - 1 stopped at the third reagent dispensing position 73 . After that, the reaction container 2-1 moves to the reagent stirring position 75 in the stopping period 1011 of the cycle [13], and the reaction vessel 2-1 into which the third reagent is dispensed is stirred by the stirring mechanism 115 (FIG. 7). In stop period 1012 of cycle [13], stop at reaction vessel position number 19 (FIG. 8).

As shown in the analysis cycle 1001 of FIG. 10, the second reagent dispense and the third reagent dispense are selectively performed during the stop period 1010. FIG. Therefore, when the second reagent is dispensed, the second reagent is stirred, and the third reagent is not stirred. Also, when the third reagent is dispensed, the third reagent is stirred, and the second reagent is not stirred. Further, the cleaning of the reaction container by the cleaning mechanism 3 and the ejection of the sample by the sample dispensing mechanism 11 are performed only during the stop period 1010 . Further, the absorbance measurement by the measurement unit 4 is performed in each rotation period of 3 degrees.

In this manner, the same problem as in the first embodiment occurs even in the form of repeating the rotation period and the stop period in one analysis cycle. That is, assuming that the reaction container to be used first is reaction container 2-1, reaction disk 1 moves reaction container 2-1 to reaction container position number 11 in FIG. ] will be started from the washing of the reaction vessel. If this is performed in the analysis cycle (cleaning operation only) 1002 shown in FIG. 10, it will hinder TAT reduction. Therefore, as the cleaning cycle 1003 in FIG. Define a wash cycle that skips time and starts rotating the reaction disk 1 . Since the idle time can be shortened, the cleaning cycle can be made shorter than the analysis cycle. In the example of FIG. 10, one cleaning cycle is 16.5 seconds while one analysis cycle is 33.0 seconds. The reaction disk 1 may be rotated for 9 reaction vessels, 1 reaction vessel, or 7 reaction vessels without idle time, or the reaction disk 1 may be rotated for 17 reaction vessels at once. good. Also in Example 2, in order to shift to the analysis cycle 1001 without any idle time after operating in the cleaning cycle 1003 from the start of the analysis until the first reaction vessel 2 becomes ready for sample dispensing,
A: number of cycles required for washing, B: washing cycle time, C: analysis cycle time, k: integer (>1), then
A x B = k x C
It is desirable that the relationship of

This cleaning cycle is a time zone in which cyclic absorbance measurement by the measurement unit 4 is not required, that is, when the analysis is started, all the sample containers 15 are cleaned until at least one reaction container to be used first has been cleaned. After the measurement is completed, the reaction vessel 2 is washed until the analysis is completed and the apparatus is stopped, or immediately after the power supply to the apparatus is turned on. It can be applied without affecting the measurement results. Since the time that can be shortened is the same as in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

Thus, TAT can be shortened even in an automatic analyzer that rotates the reaction disk 1 multiple times in one cycle.

Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described above based on the embodiment, the invention is not limited to the description of the embodiment, and can be variously modified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Reaction disc, 2... Reaction container, 3... Washing mechanism, 4... Measurement part, 5... Stirring mechanism, 7... Reagent dispensing mechanism, 7a... Reagent nozzle , 9... Reagent disk, 10... Reagent bottle, 11... Sample dispensing mechanism, 11a... Sample nozzle, 13... Cleaning tank, 15... Sample container, 16... Rack , 17... sample transport mechanism, 18a... reagent pump, 18c... sample pump, 20... cleaning pump, 21... controller, 22... vacuum pump, 30, 32... Washing tank 41 Sample ejection position 42 Sample suction position 43 First reagent dispensing position 44 Second reagent dispensing position 45 First stirring Position 46 Second stirring position 47 Absorbance measurement position 71 First reagent dispensing position 72 Second reagent dispensing position 73 Third reagent dispensing position, 75... reagent stirring position, 100, 100b... automatic analyzer, 115... stirring mechanism, 501, 1001... analysis cycle, 502, 1002... analysis cycle (washing operation only), 503, 1003... cleaning cycle, 1010, 1011, 1012... stop period.

Claims (11)

a reaction disk that stores a plurality of reaction vessels in a circular shape; a sample dispensing mechanism that dispenses a predetermined amount of sample into the reaction vessels; and a reagent dispensing mechanism that dispenses a predetermined amount of reagent into the reaction vessels. a stirring mechanism for stirring the sample and the reagent dispensed into the reaction vessel; a measurement unit for measuring the reaction process and/or the reaction liquid after the reaction of the mixture of the sample and the reagent in the reaction vessel; A method of operating an automatic analyzer comprising a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the reaction container,
The automatic analyzer includes dispensing of a sample by the sample dispensing mechanism, dispensing of a reagent by the reagent dispensing mechanism, stirring of the sample and the reagent by the stirring mechanism, measurement by the measurement unit, and reaction by the washing mechanism. an analysis cycle for cleaning the container, and a cleaning cycle for cleaning the reaction container by the cleaning mechanism and having a shorter cycle time than the analysis cycle,
Each of the analysis cycle and the washing cycle includes a stop period and a rotation period of the reaction disk in one cycle, and the amount of rotation of the reaction disk in one cycle of the analysis cycle and the rotation amount of the reaction disk in one cycle of the washing cycle. is equal to the amount of rotation,
In the analysis cycle, during the stop period of the reaction disk, all of the sample dispensing mechanism, the reagent dispensing mechanism, the stirring mechanism, and the washing mechanism move to one of the reaction containers on the reaction disk. operating, the measurement unit performs measurement during the rotation period of the reaction disk,
In the cleaning cycle, when the reaction disk is stopped, none of the sample dispensing mechanism, the reagent dispensing mechanism, and the stirring mechanism operates, wherein the stoppage period of the reaction disk is shorter than the stoppage period of the reaction disk in the analysis cycle, and the rotation of the reaction disk is started immediately after the end of the operation time of the cleaning mechanism. method of operation of an automated analyzer. In claim 1,
A method of operating an automatic analyzer, wherein in one cycle of the analysis cycle or the cleaning cycle, the cleaning mechanism performs first to m-th cleaning steps for each of m reaction vessels. . In claim 2,
Let A be the number of cycles required to perform the first to mth washing steps, B be the cycle time of the washing cycle, and C be the cycle time of the analysis cycle, then A×B=k×C (k is An operating method of an automatic analyzer, characterized in that a relationship of (integer greater than 1) is established. In claim 1,
A method of operating an automatic analyzer, wherein one cycle of the analysis cycle includes a plurality of stop periods and rotation periods of the reaction disk. In claim 1,
An automatic analyzer characterized in that the reaction container is cleaned by the cleaning mechanism in the cleaning cycle until the cleaning process by the cleaning mechanism for the reaction container into which the sample is first discharged by the sample pipetting mechanism is completed. How it works. In claim 1,
A method of operating an automatic analyzer, characterized in that, after a reaction liquid measurement interval for all the reaction containers mounted on the reaction disk has passed, the reaction containers are washed by the washing mechanism in the washing cycle. In claim 1,
When all the reaction vessels mounted on the reaction disk are to be cleaned by the cleaning mechanism immediately after the power of the automatic analyzer is turned on, cleaning of the reaction vessels by the cleaning mechanism is performed in the cleaning cycle. A method of operating an automated analyzer, characterized by: In any one of claims 1 to 7,
A method of operating an automatic analyzer, wherein the reaction vessel stopped at the predetermined position of the reaction disk stops at a position adjacent to the predetermined position after a predetermined plurality of cycles. In claim 8,
After β (β is an integer greater than 2) cycles, the reaction disk is rotated so that the reaction disk moves by α (α is an integer greater than 1) ±1 reaction vessel. How it works. In claim 9,
When the total number of reaction vessels stored in the reaction disk is N, and the amount of rotation of the reaction disk in one cycle is for M reaction vessels, β×M=α×N±1 holds. method of operation of automated analyzers. In claim 1,
A method of operating an automatic analyzer, wherein, in the cleaning cycle, a period during which the reaction disk is stopped is equal to a time period during which the cleaning mechanism operates.

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